James Donaghy denied bail in the Adelaide Magistrates Court, charged with money laundering

‘He doesn’t share his underwear, I hope,’ was a magistrate’s response to a lawyer saying it was a share house where meth, cash and an ‘improvised explosive device’ was allegedly found.

A previously convicted drug dealer who was allegedly caught with large amounts of methamphetamine and cash in his underwear told the court the money was from a Centrelink payment.

James Francis Donaghy, 36, applied for bail in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday, after his alleged creative attempts to hide evidence were unsuccessful.

A police prosecutor opposed the bail application, saying the prosecution case was strong and Donaghy had significant criminal history.

The court heard police attended an Osborne address on January 8, following information that the occupants were manufacturing and trafficking controlled drugs.

“Police have then subjected the defendant to a search where they located what is alleged to be approximately 10-15g of methamphetamine and $4050 of cash concealed in his underwear,” the police prosecutor said.

The court heard police allegedly also found a further 5g of methamphetamine in the bedroom of Donaghy and his co-accused, as well as shades, globes, an electrical transformer and marijuana.

“They also located a cylinder shaped tube – a toilet sized roll which was wrapped in alfoil and containing gun powder with a sparkler in the top,” the police prosecutor said.

The court heard it was identified as an “improvised explosive device.”

The police prosecutor told that court that Donaghy had been convicted for drug trafficking in the District Court last month.

He was sentenced to two years and eight months jail, which was suspended for a period of three years.

James Donaghy was denied bail in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday, after a police allegedly uncovered methamphetamine and cash. Photo: AAP Image/Morgan Sette

Donaghy, of Largs Bay, is charged with money laundering and possessing an explosive substance without lawful excuse.

He is yet to enter pleas.

Con O’Neill, for Donaghy, told the court Donaghy was living in a share house so he hadn’t gotten instructions as to who the drugs and money belonged to.

“He doesn’t share his underwear I hope,” magistrate David McLeod said.

Donaghy told the court the money had come from a Centrelink payment.

Mr McLeod refused Donaghy bail.

The charges were adjourned until June.